Visitors to County Durham are in for a festive treat this Christmas with free late afternoon and evening parking.

Durham County Council is bringing back its ‘Free after 3’ offer which will see free parking available across the county after 3pm, every day in December.

The waiving of charge applies to the council’s off street car parks and on-street spaces with stickers being placed on all payment machines to let drivers know.

As well as ‘Free after 3,’ free parking will be available across the county after 10am this Saturday 2 December – again in all the council’s off street car parks and on-street spaces. This is part of the council’s support for Small Business Saturday, a national campaign which encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Local Lib Dem Cllr Richard Ormerod said:

“The run-up to Christmas is a vital time for local shops, their busiest time of year.

“The council’s Free after 3 offer – in addition to the free parking on Small Business Saturday – will bring more people into our fine city.”

Drivers are advised that payment machines will not be switched off at times when charges are not in place and that money paid will not be refunded.

Details of all council car parks can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/parking